Stage-lift flowing device



June 24, 1930. A, BQYNTQN 1,767,292

STAGE LIFT FLOWING DEVICE Filed May ,6, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l I June 24, 1930. BQYNTQN 1,767,202

STAGE LIFT FLOWING DEVICE I Filed May 6, 1927- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE ALEXANDER BOYNTON, OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS STAGE-LIFT FLOWING DEVICE Application filed May 6, 1927. Serial No. 189,306.

This invention relates to automatic stage lift flowing devices especially adapted for use in wells and an important object is to provide for the automatic supply of a lifting medium, to the column of oil or other liquid to be lifted at the periods and in the volume calculated to. flow the well in the most economical and expeditious manner.

More specifically an important object is to provide a novel form of induction valve by which the rate of admission of a lifting medium to the column of fluid to be lifted is increased when a low diflerential obtains between the pressures of the tubing and casing fluids and is diminished or cut off when a high difi'erential obtains between ifsihedpressures of the tubing and casing Another and equally important object is to provide an induction valve havin means by which the well may be flowe either through the tubing or the casing in an eflicient manner. I

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the follow ing description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts through the same, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the improved stage lift flowing device applied, v

igure 2 is a side elevation of the same, the housing'cap being removed,

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1, v c

Figure 4 is a perspective of a sectional spring embodied in the invention,

Figure 5 is a v spring which may be employed,

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a modification of theinvention,

Figure 7 is an end viewillustrating one of" the sections shown in Figure 6, the illustrated section being shown with a valve and a ressure responsive spring, a 1 l igure 8 is a perspective of the pressure responsive spring and a valve carried such as compressed air or gas,

mediate portion adapted to enter perspective of a one piece thereby.

In the drawing a body having su rated in a well portion of the bod the numeral 5 designates itable means at the ends 'thereof by which the same maybe incorpotubing. The intermediate y is provided with a twoway port 6 for the'passage of a fluid lifting medium such as co compressed air or outside source if well being flowed.

In carrying out provided with a principally of an mpressed air or gas. The

gas may be taken from an gas is not available in the the invention the body is valve housing consisting annular boss 7 and a cap in place and profrom hanging on The terminals of the projections extend beyond the plane of the outer surface of the cap so that the cap is constantly spaced from contact with the casing.

Figure 3 illustrates that the opposed surfaces of the boss 7 and the cap 8 are beveled to allow of the flexing of a leaf spring 10,

the extremities tween the boss a of the spring 10 is of which are clamped bend the cap. The interprovided with a double acting double'headed valve element 12 having stems or plungers 14 adapted to control the movement of a lifting fluid, such through the port 6 as compressed air or gas, and a port 16 in the cap.

The stems 14 are shown to be tapered slightly toward the outer ends thereof and the ports with which the same are associated to regulate the effective cross sectional areas heads of the valve with the" inner. ends lifting fluid is enti The leaf. spring of the same. When the elements 12 are engaged of theports the flow of rely cutoff.

10 is confined between a pair of parallel ribs 20, the ends of which join the boss 7 so that the lifting fluid, be

it compressed air or gas, must pass between walls of the ribs is that the spring influence of the tu the edges of the leaf spring and the opposed 20 in order to be discharged through one of the ports. Thus it 20 is within the zone of bing and casing pressures and it will be observed that the ribs extend sufliciently beyond the normal position of the spring to at all times cooperate with the edges of the spring in defining passages for I, the conduct of the lifting fluid from one which carries the valve element and in that case the leaves are oppositely slotted to straddle the intermediate portion of the valve element.

In the form, of invention illustrated in Figures 6 to 8 inclusive the body of the device is-made in two separate sections 28 and 29, the section .28 being provided with a H threaded extension 31 secured in acounter bore in the section 29.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrates that the meeting portions of the sections 28 and 29 are provided with arcuate flanges 33 and 34 and that the flange 33 is provided with an armate or crescent shaped chamber for the reception of an arcuate spring 37 upon which a more or less spherical valve element 38 is secured.

Particular attention is directed to Figure 7 which illustrates that the valve element 38 is disposed between and is in line with the port 26 and a second port 40.so that the valve element may assume an operative position with respect to either of these ports. In this connection it is pointed out that when the well is to be flowed through the tubing the spring 7 is manually bent so that the rolled ends of the same Wlll be engaged with the tan entially extending cam surfaces 41 of t e valve chamber. With the spring 37 thus adjusted the ball 38 is normally away from the port 26 to allow of the admission of a lifting fluid, such as compressed air or gas, to the tubing. When a low pressure di erential obtains between the tubing and. casing fluids the compressed air may enter the crescent shaped valve chamber from the casing by way of the port 40 and discharge into thetubing b way of the port 26. When the pressure 0 the fluid in the tubing drops as a result of the ascent of oil or other liquid being flowed the valve element 38 will be drawn in the direction of the port 26 to partly or completely close the same.

It is important to note that the compressed air or gas previous to enterin the tubing must pass about the edges 0 the bowed spring 37. Thus it is that the spring is at all times within the zone of influence of the varying tubing and casing fluids.

If the well is to be flowed through the casing the spring 37 is bent outwardly so that the rolled ends of the same are engaged with the curved outer wall of the crescent shaped valve chamber. When the spring is thus bent the valve 38 is normally spaced from the port 40 andis engaged therewith only as the result of a predetermined drop in the pressure of the casing fluid.- When a 10W pressure differential obtains the valve 38 will be spaced from the port 40 to allow of the discharge of a fluid lifting medium into the casing from the tubing. It is believed to be obvious that when the well is being flowed through the casing the spring 37 will be within the zone of influence of the varying pressure differentials in exactly the same manner as when the well is being flowed through the tubing.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A valve comprising a body having a housing provided with separate two-way ports and a valve chamber, a leaf spring within said valve chamber and having the intermediate portion thereof provided with a double acting valve element adapted to control said separate two-way ports, said chamber being provided with spaced internal ribs adjacent the edges of said spring and cooperating therewith in the formation of passages establishing communication between said ports.

2. A valve comprising a body having a housing consisting of an annular boss and a cap having opposed beveled portions, a leaf spring confined between said opposed beveled portions and having a valve element, said body being provided with a port controlled by said valve element, said housing being provided with spaced internal ribs adjacent the edges of said spring and cooperating therewith in the formation of a fluid passage.

3. A valve comprising a body having a port and a housing, a leaf spring secured within said housing and consisting of oppositely slotted leaves, and a valve element extending through the slotted portions of said leaves and adapted to control said port.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ALEXANDER BOYNTON. 

